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Saudi Arabia sack coach after nine days

JEDDAH - Saudi Arabia brought Nasser al-Johar's reign as coach to an end after just nine days on Monday, announcing the change after the team's humiliating 5-0 defeat by Japan in the Asian Cup.

The three-times Asian champions also accepted the resignation of team manager Fahd al-Misaibeeh after the team's failure to qualify for the quarter-finals in Qatar, the official Saudi Press Agency SPA said.

The Saudi football federation vowed to "immediately replace them with a highly qualified international crew and domestic aides".

Johar only took over last Sunday after Saudi Arabia sacked Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro following a 2-1 defeat in the opening match against Syria.